The Real Deal on Cystic Acne
Now
that we’ve talked about the different types of non-inflamed
acne, it’s time to dig into cystic acne. Unlike blackheads and
whiteheads, cystic acne causes inflammation as well as pimples. This
inflammation can turn into a cyst and will take about 90 days to run its full
course. Cystic acne can be painful and the pain generally lasts as long as the cyst is active. Like all acne, cystic acne happens when a person has the inherited tendency
to break out, but they also need to have the inherited tendency of
inflammation. Acne cysts often resemble boils or nodules that are deeper pockets underneath the skin generally filled with white blood cells. At the surface they may present as a shallow looking whitehead at times but not always. This type of acne has a tendency to scar very easily.
In
general, cystic acne seems to be receptive to antibacterial
and anti-inflammatory topical products. No harsh scrubbing or mechanical exfoliation should be used with cystic acne. We also recommend a few different types
of supplements to help with the inflammation. Icing is also a great tool to help relieve the pain and reduce redness.
Folks
with cystic acne often wait the longest to seek serious help with their
breakouts because it can be less noticeable to other people, but it is actually
rather important to treat this type of acne as soon as possible. This is
because the longer the inflammation lasts, the more likely you are to scar.
Since this type of acne sits under the skin, it is actually more common for a
patient to come in for the pain, rather than for appearance purposes. We do
urge anyone fighting cystic acne to get in for help right away. We do still see
a lot of redness and irritation with cystic acne, just less bumps and pimples.
If
you are suffering from cystic acne please give Skintherapy Skincare and Acne Clinic of
Salt Lake City a call and start your clearing process today.
